The Laramie City Council came together for their bi-monthly work session this past Tuesday, with lengthy conversations surrounding a rezoning for a dance studio.
Ordinance number 1900 would rezone 1730 Custer St. from R1 to R3, changing the building from a single-family home to a location for business.
The building, originally used for a church, has been on the market for five years to no avail, until now. Brianna Boyle, owner of Dance Studio B, which is currently located in a suite on Garfield Street, is trying to purchase the property in efforts to move her growing business to a larger location.
“This area is suited for education, it is suited for the arts and in turn, is suited for us,” Boyle said.
Several community members were concerned with the proposal. The other businesses operating in the building and traffic congestion within the neighborhood came up as major issues with the rezoning.
“If the dance studio happens to disappear, unfortunately, we are stuck with a rezoned property,” a neighborhood resident said. “The rezoning is permanent. We have to look past this current use and consider all of the potential uses for this building.”
Boyle pointed out that this is not a spot rezoning, but an extension of R3, as commercial buildings are located across the street. In addition she said she has signed a contract binding her to purchasing the building and using it for a dance studio if the council rezones the property.
Several community members, including local dancer and former UW student Anne Mason, said the new dance studio would create a safer learning environment.
“This rezoning would be beneficial to the dancers who would be living in that place – growing in that space – it is a place where they can nurture and they can learn, where they can feel safe and be able to grow and develop as human beings,” Mason said.
The council will complete their first reading of the ordinance during their next meeting on October 7 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.
